triumphgal

I awoke too early after last night to the sound of all three of my children’s text tones. Seems we had a group text going to inform us all that poor Jake with his very loaded vehicle got away early to head west but got a flat tire not even three hours away outside Castlegar. Because it was a rental he called and the mechanic was going to take a while. It was pouring rain so he just sat in the vehicle and waited. The guy came, put a bunch of his stuff including the dresser and bed frame out in the rain as it turns out the spare is under the passenger side rear seat… and then the special lug nut key was not in the vehicle and on and on it went. When all was said and done he lost 6 hours of his travel time and a dresser that didn’t survive getting soaked, nor would it fit back in (no Tetris Mom to help). It made for a crazy long day for him and I was glad to get notice that he was finally in Vancouver. Now he will have to deal with the rental company for recompense.

I watched a Gravity and Hell or High Water (both entertaining ) and then convinced myself to work on the last two personal tax returns I had committed to. They were interesting as the prior overdue one was an Ontario one and they have different tax than BC. Had to look everything up, not to miss anything. And suddenly it was time to go for dinner. My first husband (the girl’s dad) and his wife were having us over for a goodbye bbq for the French exchange student, Com who has been here through the whole isolation. And that completed the 12 person immediate family bubble although with Jake and Com gone, we are back to 10. It was hard when the max gathering was 6, lol.

Dinner was delicious including strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb pie, but my stomach has been off today. No surprise for me as I lost sleep.

The yard pretty much survived the storm although the trees are weighed down with the rain. The flowers are pretty though.

I woke up early which was annoying. I like to get at least two hours extra on weekends to feel rested. I puttered and then decided it was sit and crochet time before it got too hot. Really shouldn’t have started a blanket when I did. I melt with it on my lap as I piece it together. Today’s movie was ‘Traffic’ Wow, 20 years old, so many stars and just a great glimpse into the cartel/political world of drugs. There was no wrap it up, happy ending. I really liked it.

When it was done, I did my dishes and was pleased that Zoe came over to get Old Man Jake, the gnome in my garden for her collection. I jumped on my bike and headed over to help Jake who really doesn’t know how to Tetris a life into a car or in this case, a rental minivan. As I have done these long distance moves around the province a few times now I spent a couple hours helping him. We unloaded what he had already done and when we were finished there was a double bed including mattress, a dresser, desk chair, 6 totes, 2 suitcases, a bunch of electronics and appliances, wall art, floor lamp, guitar and more!!!!

He sent me home with a bunch of things from his fridge and cupboard, a chair and some other treasures followed in Roger’s truck later. It is not good-bye as he will be back soon to get the last carload. Glad I decided I wanted to expand my bubble as just the immediate family I interacted with today numbered 9!

Came home and had a small relax before the whole clan arrived for a pool party and BBQ. It was so awesome to have kid hugs again! We had ridiculously good food and great fun. They all left and I tidied up , did dishes and then sat by the fire in the calm of the evening. I stayed out there until it burned down to ashes , put the screen cover on it and came in. It was nice but the air is pregnant. I do believe the storm forecast. Before I came in I made sure everything was secured, the lawn furniture was under the gazebo and the pool cover was securely over all the floaties.

Chose a shorter movie as I crocheted and waited for the place to cool down and it was charming. A Secret Love which is a documentary about a player in the women’s baseball league that A League Of Our Own was based on. A testiment to love and commitment, worth the watch.

When it was over I settled to write this and before I got far the noise began and then the place shuddered. I couldn’t believe how fast the storm moved in. I had to run and close the windows in living and dining room. I was videoing when I noticed the wind had brought the fire back to life so I ran and threw a bucket of water on it. Probably need not have as the sky opened up a minute later. Dare say the gardens got watered tonight! Tremendous thunder and lightening and wind whipped up . At 11:47 I heard the first boom of thunder and now it is 12:59 and still going on but moving away from the sounds of it. It does so echo in the area it is hard to tell.

I have my camper trailer set up and was worried the tarp may have blown off and then I noticed the cover and all things once floating on the pool were gone so I put on a rainjacket, grabbed a flashlight and in my jammies ran out to take care of everything. All inflatables were trying to escape the yard. A tarp had come loose and things were blown around that I didn’t expect. I got it taken care of enough for tonight and came back in. I am really glad I took down my hanging baskets, I doubt they would have survived it. I will rehang and secure them better tomorrow.

I did a live feed to Facebook while it was really bad but in the dark didn’t even notice the camera was facing me but the sound was great and the reflection on my glasses was cool. Was fun to have friends in at least 4 parts of the world share the experience with me. Gosh it is still thundering.

I am a little jacked up from the rush so will try to get some sleep now. Sweet dreams

Today was topsy turvy, getting desk work done and then heading to the office to spend other people’s money, writing cheques for remittences etc.

I enjoyed taking time to visit a bit at the office, as I was masked, it was good. I don’t want to make anyone nervous until we get this inflammation thing solved even if I was working there when it began. I moved a load of my office stuff home. I think that is discomforting to at least one co-worker.

After talking to my boss we agreed it would be ok for me to use banked time to take the afternoon off. I came home and had some lunch and then texted Diane who replied promptly that they were on the way to get me to drop me at the shop to pick up my Motorcycle!

I paid, and waited until they brought it around front. Popped off down the highway and immediately noticed my speedometer and odometer were not working. I headed straight back to learn that they think it is my unit not the cable although it is broken too. Somewhat frustrated… I just took the part and willl deal with it. I use the Odometer as a gas gauge so beside not having proper mileage on the bike there’s that inherent risk. The caliper mount is fixed though.

Stopped and had a great boulevard visit with Rae-Anne and then the boys and Ashlée. I decided to hug them while I had my riding gear on and it was great. Also stopped at Diane’s to do the same, hug her and Zoe which made my heart full.

I forgot that before I left I had put ribs in the crock pot and when I opened the door Oh my, the husband is a good cook! It smelled delicious. Hey if the hubby is a squat appliance that can cook ribs, I am good with that.

After a dinner of corn on the cob and ribs, Jake came by. He is moving to Vancouver on Sunday. I understand why but will miss him desperately. We had a great visit as he looked throught the envelope of memories I had compiled from my sorting. We had a good laugh at his report card with failing grade in math as he is now a bookkeeper. I really do wish him the best. I was the same age when I left this town and my daughters age 2 & 5 with their Father. I can only give advice from experience, not judge.

He dropped me off at Diane and Sean’s and I immediately fell into her arms with a sob. It matters more than I was allowing to feel. I enjoyed my visit with them. It was so nice to be in someone elses house for the first time in 78 days, sitting around a table and talking and drinking, so great!

After I got home I remembered it is my dear friend Nigel’s 64th birthday in the UK tomorrow so I rewrote the words to When I’m 64 to suit him, sort of sang it into a video and posted to his Facebook as my night is his early morning.

What a great up and down day. The pool is full and warming although only up to 15 last time I checked.

Today started out with my desire to recommit to walking/fitness. This was not a good month after doing so well in March and April. I am going to try to start June off with 10K a day for the first week and take it from there. 5 days at a time, don’t need to do 7.

Was struggling already to concentrate on work when there was a knock at the door and it was Gene. He is my oldest grandchild, named after my Father who crashed his float plane and died in 2004. In 2007 Gene was born and I cannot fathom that he will be 13 in less than three weeks! I managed to get to Cranbrook just hours after he was born and there was so much joy.

He rode here on his bike to mow my lawn, weedeat and help set up the pool! What a kid, made my month. He was cheery and helpful, we even moved a plant to have the pool in a more private, sunny spot, at least three feet east of last years position, ha-ha. It will take a long time to fill now and warm up but it is good timing with the hot temperatures expected. We had a great visit and it seems that since we stood close last he had grown taller than I! At the last moment before he left we had a good long hug, my second one in all these days.

Ashlée brought me a grocery and beverage run and hung out on the hammock with us for a while and then made a run to my work for some papers and a frozen yogurt stop. It was almost like real life again. We talked about having a bring your own everything BBQ on Saturday for family only and using my projector to show a movie on the outside wall. Will have to see what the weather does. It is soon the shortest night of the year. It is only just dark now and it is 10:20 pm.

I spent time tonight taking a Payroll Knowledge Evaluator. I don’t have any designations and it would go a lot further in my world if I did. There were a lot of questions that I would not have to deal with in real life as the software is there to calculate and other options to double check. There were only 26 questions with 2 hours to complete so you can imagine they were not easy. I had a wide range of success but for not studying nor doing much in federal world any more I am happy. Funny I got so high on the 2nd level.

Payroll Compliance Legislation 41% ( I alway look every thing up in case it changed or I don’t remember it properly)

Payroll Fundamentals 1 59%

Payroll Fundamentals 2 94%

Not bad for an accidental career although I can’t believe this honour roll girl is even sharing these scores!

Today is the day they told me to stay completely home until. I did go out one day but avoided everyone. I rather have the hang of this, don’t want to go back to my cramped office where anyone who comes in my door is 2 feet away and there is no air circulation. Having control of my own environment has been safety for me. I know the time is nearing though and discussions must be had. I have to decide if I am going back or going to move on and officially rehang my shingle. I have had my own business since 1994 when I was a single Mom who needed a work from home gig. I began with bookkeeping, created brochures and websites (under the name Surf This) and any other creative needs. Thus Printed Matter Services was born. PMS, specializing in getting and keeping you balanced. I didn’t have a network when I returned to Cranbrook at the end of the summer of ’16 so I work for others. I have always been good at self-employed. My ideal world would have a good mixture of the two. Something solid to pay the bills and my own clients who I don’t want to let go. I am manifesting that for myself. The next couple weeks will be crucial to what direction my life takes now.

I do know one thing, today I was like the frog who boils to death rather than jumping out of the pot. I live and work in a mobile home. When I got up this morning and did my walk about the yard I noticed some frost damage on the sensitive plants. By the time I was done work it was 27 Centigrade and my home had warmed up to 23 inside. I hadn’t noticed but thankfully I had been drinking lots of water all day. I had planned to mow the lawn so I could set up my pool as there was a forecast of hot weather but it was too hot and I was too tired from it to mow. Tomorrow, maybe.

During the day there was a knock at my door and my friend Diane and her daughter Zoe were here to drop off the cutest door hanger that that sweet girl insisted I must have. It makes my heart happy when people see things and are reminded of me. We are talking about maybe me going over there for a backyard distanced visit this weekend. I can’t wait!! I shall expand my bubble by the last family I had dinner with on Friday March 13th.

I was finding the L key on my keyboard sticking so I got a Qtip and the spray cleaner for my glasses and it was disgusting how much yuck there was just on the surface. Now I need to take it apart and really clean it!!!

I watch all the 90 day Fiancé shows and was fascinated by a comment from the guy in South Africa and had to go look up the situation. All tobacco and alcohol sales are forbidden there during quarantine!!! I can’t even begin to imagine the added stress that has put on people, especialllllllllllllllllllllly (oops stilll sticking) bad relationships. It must be a bootlegger’s paradise.

One of the stops I made when I was out the other day was at Home Hardware to pick up this deck box I got on sale and it is the perfect seat and storage for my motorcycle helmet and recycling. Once I got it allllllllllllllllll together I was thrilled that I had measured correctly and it fits there perfectly, tidying up my porch. Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllso, no more recycle blowing in the wind.

I made a delicious summery dinner and watched AGT and Ellen which I have taken to taping now as I so regulary llllaugh out loud and that is unusual for me watching TV. Got a lot more of my blanket together but it is getting too warm to do it inside. May have to sit out in the cooler evenings to finish it.

Did you know what the hole in the handle is good for? It seems so obvious once you use it.

Didn’t sleep well last night, hope to tonight. They say you can’t make up for lost sleep but I feel as though it is worth trying

The days of work just blend from one to another, getting it done. I am still having a hard time sitting for long periods and have to concentrate on sitting up straight. My Dr rang just after lunch and we had a great conversation. She is very good at understanding I don’t reach out for help unless I have tried everything first. She is convinced it is not my lungs nor heart but some terrible inflammation that to me feels as though it is weighing on both. She got me to pick up a Lab rec and also referred me for a breath test. Depending how those turn out I may have to head to a specialist. Enough is enough. I am nearing the end of month 7 with these issues and when they flare up I have ‘swishy’ brain and vertigo as well. I just chocked the brain issues up to concussion syndrome but now it is moving down. But enough about me. Ha-ha. The lab was crazy empty. It is normally standing room only but there were only seats for 5 very spread apart and a hall monitor who just kept circling and sanitizing. Felt very secure.

After work I spent some time watering all my flowers and discovered an interesting item hanging from the side of my house. I hope to see what comes out of it! Got lightheaded and had to sit for a bit in the comfy chair in the yard. I need to do that more often.

Oh and I got a new shirt in the mail that I ordered myself for my birthday. Took a long time but I love it!

Not mine… I got an email from work there was mail and paperwork for me to pick-up and at the same time there was one saying my garden items I had ordered at Home Hardware were ready for pick-up. I masked up and headed out. Quick stop at work to grab my stuff from the table in the hallway and then off to HH. There was a long well spaced line outside and I parked far from it and wandered within earshot of the employee monitoring the line to ask how i pick up my order. He said I had to go in and I told him I was not supposed to yet and thought I could get curbside since I had ordered and paid online. He was very helpful trying to get it taken care of. Eventually a woman stormed out towards me and at about the 3 feet mark I suggested she stop where she was as there was a reason I wasn’t going in the store. Remember, I am masked and at a distance from everything. She truly must have been having a hard day as I was very pleasant and she was not. I did get a phone number from her and called the guy who could help me. His response was pleasant and immediate. He brought out my order and loaded it into my car and told me he had even santiized his hands and his pen before coming out so I could sign for my order. He apologized and I told him not to worry, I just couldn’t figure out what I had done wrong and then realized it just wasn’t me. These are trying times in retail. And now I know to call first to arrange pickup. I may like the Home Depot system better.

Last night before bed I realized I had lost my fitbit out of it’s holder during the day sometime and it was too dark to find it so I just hoped it survived the dampness of the night. This morning I wandered to the different places I had been in the yard and found it near the tire of the Willys where I had been putting the tarp back on. Yay! This is a Fitbit One which as near as I can tell can’t be replaced and I have had it for I think 6 years now. I wouldn’t want one I would have to wear on my wrist. This one clips to my bra (or waistband in Pandemic Land). I haven’t been very diligent as last week I had less than 13000 steps in 5 days where I was doing that much in a day, every day. I am cutting myself slack for being under the weather though. Using what energy I have to get small projects done and that feels good, which is important right now. I did get on the scale this morning and after being up for the last couple weeks, I am actually down 5 lbs from the beginning of my homestay program.

I am tired still though. Not sure if it is the brain drain or the slightly gurgly lungs but I hope it passes soon. I have a phone appointment with my Dr tomorrow and I hope we can once and for all figure out what is wrong with them. It’s all good as long as I don’t breathe, lol.

Sleep in Sunday and then continued crocheting while I watched The Hateful Eight. I know better, but I keep forgetting how truly bloody, Tarantino’s movies usually are. I suppose the saving grace is they are over the top so that it is bearable and strangely funny to see so much violence. I don’t know what that says about me… but I really liked it. After that I decided to sort my entire small writing desk in the living room where I shove papers of every sort. Before doing that I got distracted by the need to go put the tarp back over the 46 Willys which had manage to stay on all winter but couldn’t handle the winds the last few days. Then there were lilacs to pick and well, eventually I got at the work. While I was at it Ashlée stopped by and we had a very nice catch up at a distance. It is hard for her to be separated from her husband of only a year and a half as he is an American living part time in Kalispell Montana and was travelling regularly to be here with her until the border closed. It has been over 3 months since they were together and I feel for them.

I got all the paper sorted and was just settling down to work on my books when there was a knock at the door and my across the street neighbour was there with roses. OK, so it was parts of roots she had dug up for me to transplant. I had a chat with her and her husband who had had a stroke earlier in the week and startled the neighbourhood when the ambulance arrived. He seems to be doing well though. After I planted the roses in three locations around the yard I asked them if they would like rhubarb as mine was going crazy and I don’t use it. Tracy was thrilled and set Lorne to work picking and digging. They left me a small clump which I am sure will grow back heartily. She is taking root balls to her daughters. I am happy they are happy.

After all of that I finally got started on my own books and tax filing. As the saying goes: The cobbler’s kids go without shoes. By 10 pm I was finished and filed and plan to be much better organized this year!!!

oops I must have been tired, forgot to push Publish, lol. Thanks for letting me know, Diane!!!

I really did have some things to accomplish today and I mostly did… I also followed my nose, moving from this to that as I felt like it. I even went out and played in the rain in my jammies. My hair is soooo soft now. I did a little puzzling, made a nice omelette for brunch, and then finished my blanket to the point of crocheting the rows together. That may take me longer as I get hot working with it on my lap and have to keep setting it aside. I had a trifecta movie day too and am really glad I watched them in the order I did. Only happy thoughts at the end of the night.

Midnight Express came out in 1978 and all I remember was my mom saying something about a tongue. At 15 I was forbidden to see it. I am glad. It was a strong cautionary tale and aside from the soundtrack it was pretty amazing. Interesting fact, Brad Davis who played Billie Hayes died young from HIV and his son is currently an actor on Grey’s Anatomy.

Hugo, what a beautiful film. It was so easy to get lost in it. Amazing camera angles and POVs that left me enchanted. It reminded me a little bit of The Life Aquatic or The Grand Budapest Hotel in feel and delight.

And to complete my odd trilogy, Hot Fuzz. I do love crazy fun movies but didn’t realize quite how gory it was. All good fun though and I suppose I shall have to watch #2 now.

It has been strange the last two nights to hear the bubbles expanding, neighbours on each side having get togethers. I must say it is only noticeable because it is unusual. They have been respectful to shut it down at a decent time. I look forward to having people over in June. That is my plan, to stay as is until I feel good and well. Then a small sized round the fire get together outside.

I slept as long as I could and felt much better when I awoke. My upper ear doesn’t hurt anymore and I suspect the entire episode was an exacerbated infection. Don’t know how it started and hope it will be fully passed soon. By suffice to say today feels like a whole new week. I had the day off in lieu of my birthday in April and spent time on me. I got dressed up for Fabulous Friday and danced around my living room in my dress and madeup face.

I made a unicorn that Ashlée had given me last year.

I ate crab, drank wine, talked to friends and my Mommy and watched a facinating documentary about the Russian athletic doping scandal called Icarus. It really is so outside of reality as I imagine it that it comes across as a cold war spy movie but it is true.

Spoke with my neighbour across the street and the ambulance the other morning was because her husband had a stroke. She was so quick on it though he is home and doing well. What a relief. We made a plan to swap some plants tomorrow. I planted the Impatiens that Rae brought me yesterday. My yard is really coming along. Now if only the dreadful wind would stop so I could enjoy it.

Until then I shall keep crocheting

I used my inhaler, took my vitamins, ate at semi regular intervals and got my job obligations done today. In between I obsessively checked my health Portal for results, okay it was really only about 5 times and then less that 22 hours since the test was the glorious news that I was negative. No Covid-19! I feel a bit beat down by some people in my life at the moment, unappreciated. The love and support upon sharing that I was getting testef was like a great big hug of ‘Fuck the rest of you” we love her. It must lift the soul up to feel that people care if you are well, if you are on this planet. And not for what I can do for them but just for who I am. I hope I continually grow towards being a person who leaves everyone in her life with the feeling that they are wanted and appreciated just for being them. You see, I have been having lung issues as I have spoken of previously, situational asthma, compounded by stress. As things are opening up again, including our office, and I was having a very struggling day to breathe, I felt it best to rule out the worst. Now I can concentrate on getting better from what it is, rather that what it could be.

It was nearly 4 hours later when I got a call from a sweet woman letting me know I was negative. It was great to thank an essential worker and hear her say this was the best part of her job, making these calls. Yesterday when I was there to be tested they asked me what my profession was and replying that I was a bookkeeper and payroll clerk for an accounting firm illicited an ‘oh, you are an essential worker too”. Very kind to give that acknowledgement. Of course I only risk my sanity, not my life.

The wind all day and into the night has been crazy strong. I spent the afternoon with my Marvel Hero blankie on my lap. I worry about my staycation spot. Rae-Anne popped over after dinner with some plants for my garden and we stayed far apart as she assisted me to make sure everything was tied down. It all looked good in the twilight of 10 pm., we shall see what the morrow brings. I’ve washed down an anti-anxiety pill with a lovely dram of Oban. Off to sleep I shall go, no alarm tomorrow as I have the day off with pay in lieu of my birthday off.

The problem for me with any illness is I always try to work through it. Mind over matter. I generally get sick as soon as I take an extended break – Christmas for example. I have been known to put things aside for so long I get a lecture from the Dr. when I finally decide to do something about it. I have an inhaler now as I have had breathing issues on and off since the end of October which got really bad over Christmas. I haven’t had to carry an inhaler since I lived on Salt Spring (8 years ago) and usually that was an issue with wood stove smoke. I suppose it could be the same thing here.. in any case I am used to ignoring the fact I am having trouble breathing until it becomes overwhelming or causes a headache. On Sunday I noticed that a piercing I had done 20 years ago was infected. The important part of this story is that they shattered the cartilage in my upper ear and I was never able to wear anything so let it grow over. Yet here I am with a tender, swollen ear and when I finally decide to address it there is blood etc. coming out the front and back. How is that even a thing???? Two days after that began and continued to get worse I wake up yesterday with a sore throat, trouble breathing, sneezing, tiredness and the muscles around my rib cage ache. I called my daughter to find out about how she got tested and then called for a Dr appointment. I was able to get a phoen call to be mede to me in two days. I decided I couldn’t wait and called the 811 Line for Covid-19 assistance.

Skip to today and my ear is getting better but my cough tries to make me either pee or puke. Yep, not pleasant, at all. I am shallow breathing instead, still sneezing and head and muscle aching. I do make it through my day of work although I take more frquent breaks to go walk outside and breathe. At 4:45 I head up toward the Health Unit and park in time to call the number I was given. I go through the confirmation of who I am, am told to wait and they will call me as soon as the nurses are ready for me. I am called and told to leave all but my keys and care card in the car and come up to the glass door. I enter and am greeted with cheer and caring. I am to clean my hands, put on the mask, show my care card and read the number out, put it away and clean my hands again. Put hands together in prayer or interlocking and follow to the other room. There I lean my head back and a swab is inserted in my non-pierced side pretty far up. It has to stay there for 10 seconds (or what feels like an episode of Jerry Springer because I want to hit that bitch) to be effective, it burns a little and when she pulls it out my eye waters. This she says is an indication she got to the right spot. I am told I was amazing, not a twitch but I have had deviated septum surgery and there is nothing on this planet that would convince me to get a nose job. It was one of the worst things I have ever experienced. This was it’s baby cousin. I had to clean my hands again, remove my mask to the garbage and then clean them again before I left. I was very thoroughly informed every step of the way and what would happen next. Seems within 48 hours, likely 24 I will have result on my Health Portal. I will receive a call from the Health professionals if it is negative and from the BC CDC. That is comforting that it will be known so soon and they will let me know either way. I am grateful to live where I live. It is likely I have a cold or other bug but it is important I don’t join the Stage 2 opening if there is a chance I have something.

I am on full lockdown until May 27th at least or a negative result and no symptoms left. I am again reliant on my Ashlée.

My only rambly thoughts today were about being in the class of 1980. I am sure somewhere in the world exists a paper I would have wrtten about the very distant future. I am sure the my 16-17 year old mind would have thought 2020 would have included the undersea world I envisioned living in. I had a plan to build bubble pod housing on the ocean floor. My peaceful place has always been in inner space. I know I could not have forseen face masks instead of diving masks, solo bubble living instead of air bubbles, enforced isolation instead of the freedom of the sea. Oh what reality this 40 years later has left on our plates. Were we part of the problem, should we have seen it coming? Did we inadvertently prepare by inventing the technology that allows us to survive it now?

eh, I’m sick, off to bed, tomorrow could be a big day, either way. Tra la.

I keep a sticky note pad of things I want to share daily, random thoughts, etc. The list is decent today but I can’t do it. I have to go to bed. I struggled to get my 8 billable hours in today. It took me almost 10. I feel like dirt. My symptoms are on ‘the list’. I am pretty sure I have just managed to catch a cold or flu although I have had a flu shot and Lord knows where I would have picked up any bug… I called 811, the Covid-19 line and both the person who screened me initially and the nurse who took the call after were kind and calm. Dr. Bonnie would be proud. I did hit several markers I guess as I was given the number to call to make a testing appointment. That woman was also calm and kind and very informative. I will be there at 5 pm tomorrow. And as of today I am on full isolation for 10 days. Until May 27th – lockdown. I have to get a negative result and all symptoms of any kind go away to even go to a store. It’s a shame really, my motorcycle is ready at the shop. Over $700 bucks to get it out… sigh. I may have to give them my cc over the phone and ask them to leave it out for me so I can walk over with my helmet and get it. If I trap my own germs in my fullface, I am pretty sure it would count as isolation and I would find so much joy in a spin right now. I must first feel better though. I shall start with sleep and finish sharing tomorrow, if the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.

A long weekend is such a treat! Just to not have to set an alarm for a third day in a row makes it perfection. I bet this is odd for some people to process, those who haven’t set an alarm in months but there are still some of us who Shout from the rooftops (as my friend Trevor puts it) TFGIF!!!! Expletive included for emphasis.

While in the UK in September I purchased a treat to bring home and after having one I decided to keep the other for a special occasion which as it happens turned out to be breakfast on Victoria Day. It’s just a funny supermarket dessert but was nummy and reminded me of the dear Hearndens. I do wonder when we shall ever see each other again what with the new world order.

I spent quite a bit of time Spring cleaning, rearranging my bedroom, etc., almost.. nesting. I even cleaned poor George’s bowl. I am scared I will traumatize him out of this world every time I do it. I do hope he hangs in until tomorrow and then I won’t be afraid to check in on him.

It is tradition in the Rocky Mountains to plant your garden the May Long as one hopes the threat of frost has passed. I knew my friend Maureen had some transplants for me and I had researched the selfwatering system I’d been gifted so masked up and off to the garden centre I went. I dare say Home Depot had this part very well organized. I needed bags of dirt for this system and wanted to grab some foliage while I was at it. I came away with some beautiful vines and hopeful tomato and cuke plants as well as some flowery things and a blueberry bush of all things. Oh and sweet peas. Sweet Peas and gladiolas always remind me of my Nana. Juanita (Houghtaling) Bellavance was a force to be reckoned with and I adored her. She taught me to gamble and smoke and drink and wear dangly earrings and red lipstick. These are all fine qualities in a lady if you ask me. She was gone too soon from a heart that didn’t survive her lifestyle. So I planted sweet peas as well.

While I was out there, with the rain beginning, I heard a truck slow down on the road behind me and heard ‘you weren’t supposed to be outside!’ We had a good laugh as a ‘Cranbrook kindness wine fairy’ was trying to make a surprise drop. She left a beautiful bounty. I had done the same for someone else today and it was double fun as I put Tupperware and treats in the cool box my shoes came in from Carnaby Street when I was in London. My surprised lady posted a thank you picture in the Facebook Group and exclaimed her love for Tupperware and the packaging. I had as much joy from that as I did from getting spoiled.

I made a dinner of wontons in chicken noodle soup (surprisingly good and comforting) and watched Capernaum and then American Factory.

It seems this weekend has been a study in cultures far removed from mine. Armchair travel.

Capernaum was mezmerizing and similar in style to Roma, complete with subtitles. Life in Lebanon from the vantage of a child. What a child!

American Factory was a documentory about Fuyao Glass near Dayton Ohio. The culture clash between the Chinese and American workers was interesting and informative. The filmmakers did a good job of not editorializing. I think they showed the flaws in both styles. ( oh, and there were some subtitles, lol)

I do feel more informed about the world out there. What an incredible gift to have these masterpieces available in my own livingroom. What a glorious time in evolution to be distancing. We have every option at our fingertips, every chance to evolve our world, to adapt, to reset, to fail and to rise again. Yes, I know I am using we in a way that applies to certain socio-economic statuses, not everyone…. I do feel blessed

Another enjoyable relaxing and productive day! I started by sorting my digital world; confirming and logging passworks in case of emergency. I then reached out to a couple friends for connection via text and calls. I actually am enjoying that Sunday morning habit. A good friend is church for me. Over the week I think I slowly (and sometimes quickly) wind down and don’t have any chat left in me. Saturday I recoup and by Sunday I am ready to be friendly again. I was inspired by both the communications today. I repotted plants, moved things around and cleaned the dusty corners in my living room.

Last night I won a bid for a table and two chairs on Bidwars and my friends Sean and Diane picked it up for me today. I do still miss my truck but it turned out to be really heavy and I wouldn’t have been able to get it myself.

I wanted it for a dining room table until I can get Jackie’s which is currently in Lac La Hache waiting for me to be able to road trip and get it as my plans were changed last week. The table I have now is a drop leaf with two extra leaves so it expands perfectly for all my work needs. I moved it into my den and claimed my living area back.

It felt so good to start laying out a puzzle and not be in the shadow of work on my off time. I shoved a lot of stuff aside and will have a bunch of sorting to do but I am happy with the results so far.

The news was so sad today, what should have been a pure message of joy ended in the tragic crash of a Snowbird. From the sounds of it the deceased is from Nova Scotia. That poor province has really taken the hits of late.

I watched a few more interesting movies:

1922 – a classic Stephen King (yuck, rats)

Have a Good Trip – a documentary about psychadelic drugs. Don’t look in the Mirror! (true dat)

Roma – honestly, I don’t think my brain could compute the style of this one after the previous two. I also watched “the Road to Roma” afterwards and it made it even more epic.

Got a bunch more done on my blanket but the Roma ones were subtitled so found myself just sitting back and watching.

There was nothing spectacularly interesting, good or bad in this day. It was just pleasant and productive and restful.

I woke up early and fell asleep again, spent 5 hours on some overdue bookkeeping. I like catching people up, feels like I am needed. Went out and mowed the lawn and tackled a huge job. Last year my gazebo was still up when we got our first snow. I used my broom to push the snow off and it ripped the cover. I have a 20 x 30 tarp that I covered my camper with in the winter which the kids had folded up for me when they were all here in April. That sounds so weird given they live 4 minutes away. I managed to get the gazebo together at a certain level, arrange the tarp over everything and then put the legs on to lift it all up. It was quite the battle of will at several points and I was sweaty and exhausted but it is up. I will see how it fairs the night and then put up the screens tomorrow. It will be nice to have my staycation spot complete. I am hoping to get my new home office space set up as I don’t want it in my dining room anymore…

I watched two very interesting movies as I got very far with the blanket I am crocheting. Arrival with Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams made my brain twitch a little bit. It was a reverse tower of Babel. The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightly was touching and informative. I saw the Enigma machine in real life so it was interesting to watch this movie about cracking it and this early computer. Also extremely sad statistics at the end.

So, that was it. A very nice start to a May Long Weekend Staycation.

Seems I forgot to hit publish last night, what an odd couple of days. There has been what looks like a horrific stream of deaths of late among my friends and family. From pets to parents and grandparents, friends and loved ones, I ache for their losses and pray they find a way to mourn and celebrate these souls.

Is there anything quite as sweet (or long) as the Friday before a long weekend? I accomplished a great deal today.

My son Jake, whose name turns into Kale if my right hand is not positioned correctly on the keyboard (quite a trendy name it would be), has to go to Vancouver to look at places to rent as he will be moving there soon for work. I am head in the sand over this at the moment. I did think to ask him if he had a mask which he didn’t and was concerned. I prepped a baggy with two fresh ones and another bag for dirty. After I wrote the words I noticed the pictures I had inadvertently chosen to mark.

When he stopped to pick them up on his lunchbreak I got him to help me take the mattress out to my tent trailer so I can set it up as my staycation spot. It was a lovely and active Airbnb the end of last summer. Now it will be my escape. After we were done I broke my protocol and hugged him. Twice, for a long time each. I cried and didn’t want to let go. It wasn’t maudlin or clingy, just Mom and son moment.

I finished some big projects for work and that is always satisfying on a Friday. Took paperwork and swapped it out at the office and brought home a big red plant pot with a papyrus that hadn’t survived so I could plant something that would thrive in it. Sown deep in the dirt are some of the ashes of Jackie’s daughter Lena. Ever since Jackie’s stroke nothing has stayed alive in that pot where once it was a showpiece. It’s all coincidence I am sure but odd timing.

Also did an order online and curbside pickup at Home Depot. It was pretty well organized, took a bit of time as I am pretty sure the order got picked as I waited although I had placed it yesterday. I am happy for the option thought and now I have what I need to trim out the inside of the window. I am not a finishing carpenter, always prefered taking it to lock up and walking away but I am looking forward to doing something that doesn’t involve a screen.

I watched some saved sitcoms and then the special about Garry Marshall this evening. He really had an incredible career and life. What a legacy.

One thing I enjoy about WordPress is the stat map. It gives me joy and an extreme sense of connection when I see where you all live! Thanks for tagging along. Stay safe and sane out there!

Today, it seemed to be a marker of some kind, a moving through or beyond kind of day. I don’t know why but nothing bothered me today. In fact I did pay it forward type of things today even. And I was rewarded in SPADES, well, the joy came my way as well. I am really looking forward to next Friday off as a birthday perk from my employer. Yes, my birthday was in April, when I never get to take it as, well, April in an Accounting Firm.

I got out in the sun for my walk to the mail and around my .125 acres (sounds better than my trailer park property) and noticed that my rhubarb is weird. I may not have looked last year but isn’t that weird

I love a rainy night, it’s a great line in a song but also true to me. Today was high overhead grey and a low grade migraine which signalled, YEP, THUNDER! It was short lived and the sun sort of came out again… although at 9:36 at night I looked out to see an eerie gray sky and still light out.

I planned out my redo of the interior kitchen wall and placed a curbside pickup of my materials at Home Depot so I can pick them up tomorrow after work when I will go out for more work for Tuesday anyway.

Just as my dinner was about to be ready a fave client of mine texted he was on the way with his info. He’s a bit of a cutey and terribly sweet and always makes my day (Yes Diane, you know who it was). No matter what changes I make he keeps asking if I will keep being his bookkeeper. How can I say no to a cute cowboy?

I have come up with a few, if I may say so, witty status for my Fb lately.

Six Feet Apart or 6 Feet Under!

Haha, the sky just opened up again.. good I hope it blows over so no headache tomorrow and well, I love a rainy night.

I also had this realization tonight as I thought about the fact that people won’t know how happy I am to see them:

As an owner of a RBF, I’m thinking that now is the time to be hitting up on a fine species of the male persuasion because, you know, masks

xo

PS RBF = Resting Bitch Face. My smile will light up a room but otherwise I look angry or depressed when I am just listening or thinking.

I apologize to my regular readers for the interruption to broadcasting. It seems that as I was on the treadmill last night I was suddenly just done with the day. Didn’t even come out and turn off my computer, just went straight to bed.

It was another lovely connection kind of day. I am going to try to focus on what is positive although…

I had previously scheduled an older gent a few doors down to come and replace my horrible kitchen window. I had bought the replacement almost two years ago on sale and it was time. As he is 73 I had agreed ahead that he would give me his needs list and I would go to get everything. I booked off an hour at work and went to Home ‘Horror’ Depot. I was very glad to be wearing a mask as there was an issue with distancing, mostly from employees oddly. There were proper set up spacing areas around tills and to get in the store and the garden area but the aisles were harrowing. I started to actually panic so I made my choices and got out of there. Didn’t touch any skin or my mask until I got home. I unloaded the car and then came in and threw everything straight into the washer and did the Dr scrub of all exposed skin.

I can’t believe what a difference one tiny window makes.

It no longer sounds like the kids on the trampoline next door are in my house, more just happy sounds in the distance. Which reminds me, I did a swing by to blow kisses through the protective glass it’s like visiting my grandsons at the zoo….

A little later in the day Jackie FaceTimed from Vancouver and that was really nice. It has been a while and I was worried that she wasn’t connecting because last time when I said I was working she hung up right away. This time I just chattered and showed her my plants and new window and she made happy sounds.

Of course, I had used so much personal time I ended up working later and eating later and texting with my dear Mark. Next thing you know I didn’t even really have time to finish watching Survivor and it was walk and bed time!